Bird feeder

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a bird feeder moveable from a first position to a second position. The bird feeder is preferably comprised of a seed tube for holding a substance, a seed tray having openings to receive and provide access to the substance, a shroud surrounding and protecting both the seed tube and seed tray and a cover secured to an upper end of the shroud. The bird feeder is also preferably comprised of a positioning mechanism to move the bird feeder from the first position, where access to the substance is provided, and the second position, where access to the substance is prevented.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to the field of bird feeding accessories, andmore specifically to an improved bird feeder.

BACKGROUND

Bird feeders have been around for quite some time for bird watchers andanimal lovers. However, many problems exist with current bird feeders,including but not limited to water or other moisture accumulating intothe feeder and poor ventilation unable to properly dry the feed.

Further, many bird feeders are comprised of bulky singular elements thatare difficult to take apart for cleaning, which is necessary to provideclean feed for birds.

Devices such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,731 have attempted to overcome someof the problems by providing shrouds to reduce wear on the feed tubes,the shrouds moveable from a position to another to allow or preventaccess to feed. However, such devices are more difficult to take apartand clean, and do not provide the requisite ventilation necessary forthe seeds to remain fresh.

As such, there is a need for a novel type of bird feeder that canovercome the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the present disclosures provides a bird feeder comprising:a seed tube for holding bird feed; a seed tray connected to the seedtube, the seed tray for receiving and dispensing the bird feed, the seedtray further comprising at least one feed opening to dispense the birdfeed; a shroud surrounding the seed tube to protect the seed tube; and,a cover releasably secured to an upper end of the shroud, the cover toprevent objects from entering the seed tube, wherein the shroud ismoveable from a first position providing access to the at least one feedopening to a second position preventing access to the at least one feedopening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures serve to illustrate various embodiments offeatures of the disclosure. These figures are illustrative and are notintended to be limiting.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved bird feeder, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved bird feeder without ashroud, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cover with a wire of the improved birdfeeder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an underside perspective view of a cover of the improved birdfeeder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a top ring of the improved bird feeder,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a shroud with the top ring ofthe improved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is an underside perspective view of a seed tray of the improvedbird feeder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the seed tray of an improved birdfeeder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seed tube connected to the seed trayof the improved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a baffle and the seed tray of theimproved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the baffle releasably secured to theseed tray of the improved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an upper perspective view of the baffle of the improved birdfeeder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a baffle secured to a seed trayaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the positioningmechanism in a second position within the seed tray and shroud of theimproved bird feeder, whereby the feed openings are not aligned with theshroud openings, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the positioningmechanism in a first position within the seed tray and shroud of theimproved bird feeder, whereby the feed openings are aligned with theshroud openings, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the positioningmechanism of the improved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rod and spring cap of the improvedbird feeder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17A is an enlarged perspective view of the rod in contact with thespring cap taken within the lines of FIG. 17, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a shroud base having perches of theimproved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the seed tube having an upper band ofthe improved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the seed tube with the upperband of the improved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the upper band of the improved birdfeeder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the upper band within the top ring of theimproved bird feeder, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 23 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the seed tray securedto the hook shaft of the improved bird feeder, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23A is an enlarged view of the hook shaft secured to the hollowpost of the seed tray taken within the lines in FIG. 18, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; and,

FIG. 23B is an enlarged view of the wire looped into the hook shafttaken within the lines in FIG. 18, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intendedto be limiting. It will be appreciated that various modifications and/oralterations to the embodiments described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the disclosure and any modifications and/or alterationsare within the scope of the contemplated disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, an improved bird feeder is shown, preferablycomprised of a seed tube 15 for receiving and containing bird feed, aseed tray 25 connected to the seed tube 15 for receiving and dispensingbird feed, a shroud 30 surrounding the seed tube 15, the shroud 30 toallow and prevent access to both the seed tray 25 and seed tube 15, anda cover 20 releasably secured to the shroud 30 for preventing water andother particles from entering the seed tube 15 and further into the seedtray 25.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 and according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the cover 20 is shown in greater detail. Thecover 20 serves to deflect rain and other debris from entering the seedtube (not shown) of the bird feeder. The cover 20 also preventssquirrels from entering the seed tube (not shown) and gain access to theseed tray (not shown). Although the cover 20 is preferably cylindricalin shape, other shapes are possible provided that the cover 20 generallydeflects rain and prevents debris and squirrels from entering both theseed tube (not shown) and seed tray (not shown). The cover 20 is furthercomprised of a wire 35 preferably having a first loop at a first end tosecure the bird feeder to a structure, such as a column having an arm(not shown). The wire 35 also has a second loop (not shown) at a secondopposed end (not shown) to secure the wire 35 to a hook shaft (notshown) of the bird feeder. As shown, the wire 35 is fed through a smallhole 45 of the cover 20. As such, a cable seal 40 is provided, the cableseal 40 wrapped around the wire 35 and positioned over the hole 45 ofthe cover 20. The cable seal 40 is preferably made of a rubber materialand serves to prevent rain and other debris from entering the hole 45. Aworker skilled in the art would appreciate that the cable seal 40 couldbe made of other materials and be of various shapes and sizes, providedthat the cable seal 40 generally prevents rain and other debris fromentering the hole 45. The cover 20 is further comprised of indentations50 positioned on an inside surface of the cover 20. Although the presentbird feeder provides for four indentations 50, a worker skilled in theart would appreciate that only two indentations 50 are required. Suchindentations 50 serve to releasably secure the cover 20 to an upper ring55 of the shroud (not shown). Indeed, the upper ring 55, which isspecifically shown in FIG. 5, is further comprised of guides 60, each ofthe guides 60 terminating in a wall 65. At least one of the guides 60 isfurther comprised of a locking tab 70. To secure the cover 20 to theupper ring 55, the indentations 50 are aligned with gaps 72 created inbetween adjacent guides 60. The cover 20 is then rotated such that theindentations 50 slide along the guides 60 and over the locking tab 70.The indentations 50 are then trapped in the area in between the lockingtabs 70 and the walls 65, at which point the cover 20 is secured to theupper ring 55. In turn, the upper ring 55 is itself attached to andtherefore part of the shroud (not shown). To unlock the cover 20 fromthe upper ring 55, the cover 20 is rotated in the opposite direction.

The indentations 50 will slide along the guides 60 and a strongerrotational force will force the indentations 50 over the locking tabs70. Once the indentations 50 are positioned in between gaps 72, thecover 20 can be removed from the upper ring 55. A worker skilled in theart would appreciate that although the present bird feeder uses guides60 having a wall 65 and some of the guides 60 having locking tabs 70,other locking mechanisms are possible. Specifically, the cover 20 may beremovably secured to the top ring 55 by threaded engagement, or even byreplacing the wall 65 and locking tab 70 with a cavity to receive theindentations 50.

With specific reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 and according to an embodimentof the present disclosure, the top ring 55 is shown secured to the upperend 74 of the shroud 30. Indeed, the top ring 55 is further comprised oftabs 75 positioned on an outer rim 78 of the top ring 55. Although fourtabs 75 are present, a worker skilled in the art would appreciate thatonly two tabs 75 are required. At least one catch 80 is positioned onthe underside of each tab 75. Each catch 80 is constructed to slide overand hook into one of the rings 82 of the shroud 30. As the tabs 75 areseparated by a pair of slits 85, they have the requisite flexibility topivot and allow the catches 82 to slide over and lock into the ring 82.As shown, the spaces in between the number of adjacent rings 82decreases at the upper end 74 of the shroud 30. In other words, adjacentrings 82 are spaced apart closer together at the upper end 74 of theshroud 30 as opposed to the mid-section 87 of the shroud 30 to protectthe top ring 55. Such closely spaced apart rings 82 are also provided ata lower end of the shroud 30 to protect the seed tray (not shown).Indeed, it was shown through testing that squirrels often cause damageto upper and lower ends of the shroud to gain access to the seed tray(not shown). As such, it is an objective of the present disclosure toprovides closely spaced apart rings on the upper and lower ends of theshroud 30 to reduce or otherwise eliminate this damage.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the seed tray 25 is shown in greaterdetail. The seed tray 25 is preferably bowl-shaped to contain a numberof seeds that have been deposited therein through the seed tube 15. Asthe seed tray 25 is secured to the seed tube 15, seeds accumulate inboth of the seed tray 25 and seed tube 15. Water holes 95 are positionedon an underside of the seed tray 25, such water holes 95 having anoptimal size to allow water but prevent seeds from passing through. Itis an object of the present disclosure that the seeds remain dry andtherefore proper aeration and drainage within the bird feeder isrequired. The seed tray 25 is further comprised of at least one feedopening 100 to allow access to the feed within the seed tray 25.Although four feed openings 100 are provided, a worker skilled in theart would appreciate that a single feed opening 100 is possible, andthat such single feed opening 100 could take other shapes and sizes,including a singular circumferential opening, provided that it providesaccess to the seeds in the seed tray 25. Each feed opening 100 has aprotruding frame 105, the protruding frame 105 to repel and otherwiseredirect water around the feed opening 100. Indeed, as water may cascadedown on the face of the seed tray 25, the protruding frame 105 of thefeed openings 100 reduces the likelihood that water goes into the feedopenings 100 and come into contact with the seeds, which is undesirable.To even further reduce the likelihood of water going into the feedopenings 100, troughs 110 are located on the front face of the seed tray25, above the feed openings 100. As shown, these troughs 110 redirectwater that cascades down from the seed tube 15 away from the feedopenings 100, towards the side of such feed openings 100. The seed tray25 is further comprised of a connector to connect to the seed tube 15.In this particular embodiment, the connector is a pair of outwardlytapered fingers 120, the fingers 120 terminating in undercut tabs 122that lock into corresponding apertures (not shown) in the seed tube 15.The pair of fingers 120 project outwardly from the seed tray 25 tobetter mate with the apertures (not shown) of the seed tube 15. Thetapering of the fingers 120 also increase the latching strength of theseed tray 25 to the seed tube 15 as the fingers 120 are biased outwardlyand into the corresponding apertures (not shown) of the seed tube 15. Asshown, the undercut tabs 122 have a tapered portion, which is preferablybut not necessarily 15 degrees. Such tapering increases the forcenecessary to separate the seed tube 15 from the seed tray 25. In otherwords, the tapered portion strengthens the connection between thefingers 120 and the apertures (not shown) of the seed tube 15 so thatthe seed tray 25 is better retained within the seed tube 15. Each of thefingers 120 is also further comprised of a reinforcing rib 125 tostructurally reinforce the fingers 120. The combination of fingers 120and corresponding apertures (not shown) of the seed tube 15 provides anadvantageous snap-fit solution to quickly and easily separate the seedtube 15 from the seed tray 25 for quick and easy cleaning. A workerskilled in the art would appreciate that although the connector in thisembodiment is a pair of fingers 120 connected to apertures (not shown)of the seed tube 15, other connectors are possible provided that theseed tray 25 is releasably secured to the seed tube 15. The seed tray 25is also further comprised of recessed axial openings 130 adapted toreceive baffle tabs (not shown) of the baffle (not shown). The seed tray25 is also comprised of a hollow post 135, the hollow post 135 housing aspring positioning mechanism (not shown) to be further described below.

With reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 and according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, a baffle 140 is shown releasably secured to seedtray 25. As shown, the baffle 140 is designed having a shape to onlyallow a specific orientation of the baffle 140 relative to the seed tray25. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the baffle 140 canbe a symmetrical or non-symmetrical shape, provided that such shape onlyallows a specific, desired configuration of the baffle 140 within theseed tray 25. The baffle 140 is comprised of two inner axial guides 145that generally correspond to the shape and size of the pair of fingers120 and the reinforcing ribs 125 of the seed tray 25. The guides 145,which are recessed, will slide along the length of the fingers 120 ofthe seed tray 25 to properly position the baffle 140 therein. The baffle140 is further comprised of baffle locking tabs 150, which align withthe recessed axial openings 130 of the seed tray 25 and lock therein asspecifically shown by the dotted line in FIG. 10. The baffle 140 isfurther comprised of cavities 155, such cavities 155 to be aligned withfeed openings 100 of the seed tray 25 when the baffle 140 is secured tothe seed tray 25. The cavities 155 are dome-shaped to prevent all of thebird seed from flowing out of the feed openings 100 by only allowingbird seed to accumulate at the bottom of the seed tray 25, directlyabove the water holes 95. The removeable baffle 140 is advantageous overthe prior art as it allows for easy cleaning of the seed tray 25, whichis necessary to remove older seeds or clear the seed tray 25 of unwanteddebris or dirt. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that thebaffle 140 is preferably designed with cavities 155 corresponding to thefeed openings 100 of the seed tray 25.

With reference to FIG. 13 and according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a seed tray 1025 is shown connected to a baffle1140. In this alternate embodiment, a singular, circumferential feedopening 1100 is shown. As was earlier described, a multitude of shapesand sizes of the feed openings 1100 are captured by the presentdisclosure, as long as they provide access to the bird feed.

With reference to FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 17A and 18 and according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the positioning mechanism is shownin greater detail. As will be described further below, the positioningmechanism allows for the bird feeder to move from a first position asspecifically shown in FIG. 14, to a second position as specificallyshown in FIG. 15, and back again. The first position provides access tothe feed openings 100 and the second position prevents access to thefeed openings 100. Preferably, the positioning mechanism is comprised ofa spring 160, a spring cap 165 and a central rod 170 fitted through ashroud rotation lock 175 and in threaded engagement with a nut 180. Thespring 160 is shown trapped in between the upper edge 181 of the springcap 165 and a lip 185 of the rod 170. The spring cap 165 is attached tothe seed tray 25 by screws, although a worker skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the seed tray 25 can be attached to the spring cap 165by other means, provided that seed tray 25 cannot move independentlyfrom the spring cap 165. The spring cap 165 is further comprised of atleast one drainage and ventilation hole 182 to allow water to drain outof the positioning mechanism or for air to circulate the positioningmechanism and keep it dry. The rod 170 is preferably of a non-circularshape to ensure that the rod 170 does not rotate independently from thespring cap 165 and the shroud rotation lock 175 and is only positionedin a particular, desired orientation relative to the spring cap 165 andthe shroud rotation lock 175. Specifically, the upper end of the rod 170is fitted through a corresponding non-circular opening (not shown) ofthe spring cap 165, while the lower end of the rod 170 is fitted througha corresponding non-circular index slot 190 of both the shroud rotationlock 175 and the shroud base 195. A worker skilled in the art wouldappreciate that although the index slot 190 is shown as a separate part,the index slot 190 could be prefabricated as a singular piece that formspart of the shroud 30. As aforementioned, the corresponding non-circularshape of the rod 170, the opening (not shown) of the spring cap 165 andthe index slot 190 ensures that the rod 170 can only be positioned inone or more specific orientations relative to the shroud 30 and the seedtray 25. Such a specific orientation provides for the alignment betweenthe feed openings 100 of the seed tray 25 and corresponding shroudopenings 200, which shall be further described below. The central rod170 is fitted through the spring cap 165 and the central rod 170 acts asa piston within the spring cap 165. In other words, when a downwardforce is applied to the rod 170, the lip 185 of the rod 170 actuates andcompresses the spring 160 in between the lip 185 and the upper edge 181of the spring cap 165 as specifically shown in FIG. 16. When the birdfeeder is in a first position at rest as shown in FIG. 14, the feedopenings 100 are aligned with shroud openings 200 to provide access tothe feed. In this first position, the spring 160 is in a generallyelongated position generally at rest. Although birds may sit on theperches 205, such light weight of the birds will not be sufficient toovercome the compression strength of the spring 160 and therefore thebird feeder will remain in its first position. However, unwantedsquirrels or other heavier animals may also grab onto the shroud 30,shroud base 195 or perches 205 to access the feed. In such instances,the weight of these heavier animals will overcome the compressionstrength of the spring 160 and force the shroud 30 toward the ground asspecifically shown in FIG. 15. In doing so, the shroud 30, attached tothe rod 170 via nut 180 as described above, will pull downwardly on therod 170. In turn, the rod 170 will compress spring 160 until the upperedge 181 of the spring cap 165 comes into contact with a flange 207 ofthe rod 170 as best shown in FIGS. 17 and 17A. Such contact between theupper edge 181 of the spring cap 165 and the flange 207 of the rod 170acts as a stop to prevent further compression of the spring 160. Uponsuch contact, the feed openings 100 of the seed tray 25 are no longeraligned with shroud openings 200 of the shroud 30, as specifically shownin FIG. 15. This is described herein as the second position of the birdfeeder, whereby access to feed openings 100 is prevented. As the shroudopenings 200 are no longer aligned with the feed openings 100, thesquirrels will no longer have access to the feed within the seed tray25.

With reference to FIGS. 19, 20, 21 and 22 and according to an embodimentof the present disclosure, a seed tube 15 is shown having an upper band210 fitted thereon. The upper band 210 is further comprised of aprotruding circumferential upper rim 215 having a plurality ofprotrusions 220. A recessed circumferential portion 225 is alsoprovided, positioned below the upper rim 215, the recessed portion 225having locking extensions 230. These locking extensions 230 have asloped front surface to facilitate locking into corresponding slots ofthe seed tube 15. The recessed circumferential portion 225 is fittedflushly within the seed tube 15 and the locking extensions 230 arealigned with the slots in the seed tube 15. Once the upper band 210 islocked within the seed tube 15, the upper rim 215 sits flush on theupper peripheral portion of the seed tube 15. The protrusions 220project outwardly from the seed tube 15 and are positioned proximate aninner wall of the top ring 55 when the bird feeder is assembled.Advantageously, the protrusions 220 provide additional strength to theupper portion of the seed tube 15, and the proximity of the protrusions220 to the inner wall of the top ring 55 as best shown in FIG. 22 servesto center the seed tube 15 within the shroud (not shown) and reduces orprevents the seed tube 15 from pivoting or otherwise swaying in theshroud (not shown). The protrusions 220, sitting flushly against theinner wall of the top ring 55, further create spaces 237 for excessseeds to fall therein, rather than be stuck if the seed tube 15 was inclose contact with the top ring 55. As shown, the seed tube 15 is alsocomprised of a pair of apertures 235 to engage with a pair of fingers(not shown) of the seed tray (not shown). An alignment notch 240 is alsoprovided at the base of the seed tube 15 to properly align the seed tube15 to the seed tray (not shown). The combination of apertures 235 withthe notch 240 provide for each installation of the seed tube 15 to theseed tray (not shown), which in turn makes for easy assembly anddisassembly and therefore provides for easy cleaning.

With reference to FIGS. 23, 23A and 23B, a hook shaft 250 is shownconnected to the hollow post 135 of the seed tray 25 and to the wire 35.It is an object of the present disclosure that the hook shaft 250 rotateindependently relative to the bird feeder, and specifically to thehollow post 135. Indeed, wind and other elements may cause the birdfeeder to rotate, which will in turn cause the wire 35 to rotate onitself. As the wire 35 is secured to the hook shaft 250 as specificallyshown in FIG. 23B, it is desirable for the wire 35 and the hook shaft250 to rotate independently of the bird feeder so as to not stress thewire 35 or hook shaft 250. As best shown in FIG. 23A, the hook shaft 250has an arrow-shaped lower end 255 that snap fits into a retention member260 of the hollow shaft 135. This structural relationship allows forrotation of the hollow post 135 independently from the hook shaft 250. Aworker skilled in the art would appreciate that there are other ways tosecure the hollow post 135 to the hook shaft 250 while allowingindependent rotational movement, including but without limitation toball bearings.

Many modifications of the embodiments described herein as well as otherembodiments may be evident to a person skilled in the art having thebenefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description andassociated drawings. It is understood that these modifications andadditional embodiments are captured within the scope of the contemplateddisclosure which is not to be limited to the specific embodimentdisclosed.

1. A bird feeder comprising: a seed tube for holding bird feed; a seedtray connected to the seed tube, the seed tray for receiving anddispensing the bird feed, the seed tray further comprising at least onefeed opening to dispense the bird feed; a shroud surrounding the seedtube to protect the seed tube; and, a cover releasably secured to anupper end of the shroud, the cover to prevent objects from entering theseed tube, wherein the shroud is moveable from a first positionproviding access to the at least one feed opening to a second positionpreventing access to the at least one feed opening.
 2. The bird feederof claim 1 further comprising a positioning mechanism.
 3. The birdfeeder of claim 2 wherein the positioning mechanism is further comprisedof a spring surrounding a rod, the spring compressible between a springcap and a lip of the rod.
 4. The bird feeder of claim 3 wherein the rodis further comprised of a flange acting as a stop against the springcap.
 5. The bird feeder of claim 1 further comprising an upper ringremovably secured to the shroud.
 6. The bird feeder of claim 5 whereinthe upper ring is further comprised of at least two tabs configured tobe secured on the shroud.
 7. The birder feeder of claim 5 wherein thecover is further comprised of at least two indentations and the upperring is further comprised of at least two guides to direct the at leasttwo indentations.
 8. The bird feeder of claim 7 wherein the upper ringis further comprised of locking tabs in which to trap the at least twoindentations.
 9. The bird feeder of claim 1 wherein the seed tray isfurther comprised of holes on an underside of the seed tray, the holesto increase water drainage.
 10. The bird feeder of claim 1 wherein theseed tray is further comprised of a connector to connect to the seedtube.
 11. The bird feeder of claim 1 further comprising a baffleremovably secured to the seed tray.
 12. The bird feeder of claim 11wherein the baffle is further comprised of tabs and wherein the seedtray is further comprised of openings adapted to receive the tabs. 13.The bird feeder of claim 10 wherein the connector is further comprisedof two fingers terminating in undercut tabs.
 14. The bird feeder ofclaim 11 wherein the baffle is further comprised of axial guides. 15.The bird feeder of claim 1 further comprising an upper band secured tothe seed tube.
 16. The bird feeder of claim 15 wherein the upper band isfurther comprised of a plurality of protrusions projecting outwardlyfrom the seed tube to provide additional strength to an upper portion ofthe seed tube.
 17. The bird feeder of claim 1 further comprised of acentral shaft attached to the seed tray.
 18. The bird feeder of claim 17wherein the shaft is further comprised of a lower end secured to aretention member of the seed tray to allow the shaft to rotateindependently from the seed tray.
 19. The bird feeder of claim 13wherein the two fingers are further comprised of a reinforcing rib. 20.The bird feeder of claim 1 wherein the seed tray is further comprised oftroughs, the troughs to redirect water away from the at least one feedopening.